Black Box Lullaby

[Verse 1]
You wore her blue raincoat
Even in July
She was six and laughing
With a juice box in her hand
You said, “Stay next to me”
Like it was a promise
Like the whole sky knew your name

[Pre-Chorus]
Then the cabin shook
And the world went white
You turned your body
Like a shield that night
One small hand in yours
One small prayer said low
You kept her breathing
You kept her close

[Chorus]
You died for your sister
You died for your sister
And I still can’t say it
Without breaking in two
You died for your sister
You died for your sister
Little brave heart
I’ll cry for you (I’ll cry for you)

[Verse 2]
They found her blanket
Folded by the seat
A tiny red shoe
Near your name tag necklace
The rescue lights were cold
On the broken field
But your last move was love
And that made it holy

[Pre-Chorus]
They said there was no time
But you made time for her
You gave her your silence
You gave her your shirt
When the black box played
That last bent line
It sounded like a mother
Calling home through fire

[Chorus]
You died for your sister
You died for your sister
And I still can’t say it
Without breaking in two
You died for your sister
You died for your sister
Little brave heart
I’ll cry for you (I’ll cry for you)

[Bridge]
Now she keeps your photo
By her bed at night
Finger on your smile
Like a porch light
She says your name slow
Like it keeps you near
And every year the tears come
Sharp and clear

[Final Chorus]
You died for your sister
You died for your sister
And the whole room knows it
When they hear your name
You died for your sister
You died for your sister
Little brave heart
We won’t be the same (we won’t be the same)
You died for your sister
You died for your sister
I’ll tell the world
What love can save